2 x iMAC vs 1 x MBP

[smoking monkey]

I'm in need of advice. I'm in the market for a new computer(s).
Let me give you a rundown on my situation.

HOME COMPUTER- dual 800 1GIG ram G4. probably 6-7 years old -i got it 2nd hand in 03 i think-
(its about 6 years old and very noisy and update needed)

WORK COMPUTER- AL PB G4 1.5ghz 2gig ram 17". Bees knees when released almost 4 years ago.
(redering and Motion are getting beyond tiresome with how slow they are).

The WORK computer I do all my editing on while the HOME computer I use for internet surfing, itunes etc. I use FCP for editing wedding dvds, work related videos etc. but I'm thinking of taking a break from the wedding filming & editing business to concentrate on other things. I will still continue to edit and film but not as much in the past 6 years. As of last week I don't have any projects or side jobs in the pipeline but that may change within 6 months.

MY QUESTION- What should I get?

1. 1 x 2.6 Ghz 4gig Ram 17" MBP at around 3,500 dollars (i'm in japan so about 360,000yen) and then use my AL powerbook as my home computer

OR

2. 2 x imac 20inch with 4gig ram which i think comes in at just under the MBP price

OR

3. 1 x imac 24" 4gig ram & 1x imac 20" with 4gig ram.
Is final cut pro and motion3 going to work better on the imacs than on my current AL powerbook? surely!

I still use motion1 and that really pushes my computer to it's limits. and the last 2 years have been a hectic one editing wise so I didn't want to upgrade computers during the course of projects ongoing.
(playing with fire in my books)

THING IS i need to be able to edit at both work and home. I take a my laptop with me to work everyday, but if I were to get 2 desktops I could just use external hard drives for my projects (which I do anyway). That's why if both computers are desktops they both need to be able to handle motion 3 and fcp6 to a competent level. and if I got two desktops I could try and sell my AL PB. It's still in superb condition due to me keeping it sleeved whenever not in use.

I heard rumours that apple will be releasing new imacs sooner rather than later as well.

ANY thoughts would be highly appreciated.

powerbook al 17 2gigram 1.5ghz, 128vram Mac OS X (10.4)

 

[forgottensoft]

Go with option #4

1. iMac 2Ghz 20inch
2. Baseling Macbook Pro

Both machines will do fine for what you explain. The new Pros has 2GB Rams standard, but you could add 4GB for pretty cheap (never buy RAM Upgrades from Apple)

 

[cherry su]

Get what forgottensoft suggested. You will have a fast desktop and a fast laptop (with a big screen).

 

[bluedoggiant]

You def need to wait until new iMacs are out, get a high end 24" iMac, and use that for work, PB could be your home computer, or, you could get a base MBP, or, in order to save money, go for a refurb 2.2 mbp, or even 2.16 if you can find it. also, for a home computer, you could get a macbook, if you dont want a base mbp, refurb mbp, or your PB.

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

I'd go with option 1 but make it a Mac Pro (instead of MacBook Pro). That Powerbook G4 is more than fine for surfing the net and sending email.

 

[smoking monkey]

Thanks for the advice.

ideas to ponder.